College football never really goes as planned, does it? The early weeks are always a mess of surprises, upsets, and heated arguments online and off.
This past weekend? Same story. Some teams soared, others crashed hard.
The Florida Gators’ shocking loss to USF and Illinois’ continued dominance are just a couple of the headlines. The whole landscape seems to be shifting faster than anyone expected.
Florida Gators Stumble Against USF
The Gators, with Billy Napier at the helm, started the season with a win over Long Island. Fans were feeling good heading into a home game against USF.
On paper, it looked like an easy win. Instead, Florida lost 18-16 after Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal as time ran out.
Coaching and Play-Calling Under Fire
People are not happy with Napier’s coaching. The Gators’ offense has been called predictable, especially on third downs—everyone seems to know what’s coming.
Sports forums and group chats lit up with talk of firing Napier, some saying he shouldn’t even make it out of the stadium. The frustration is real.
Then there was the ugly 15-yard penalty on defensive lineman Brandon Bett for spitting at a USF player. After a similar incident involving Jalen Carter of the Eagles, folks are now questioning whether the coaching staff can keep the team disciplined.
Upcoming Challenges for the Gators
The Gators’ schedule isn’t getting any easier. They’ve got LSU and Miami on the road, then Texas at home.
Honestly, it’s hard to picture a quick turnaround here. Florida’s already fallen out of the Top 25, and Napier’s seat is getting hotter by the week.
For more on Florida’s mess and what it might mean, check out the full article on SBNation.
USF Bulls Making History
What was misery for Gators fans turned into history for USF. The Bulls have now beaten ranked teams in back-to-back weeks, including then-No. 25 Boise State.
That’s rare air—USF is just the fourth team since 1936 to start a season with two wins over AP Top 25 opponents.
Looking Ahead for USF
Next up, USF faces Miami, who’s sitting in the Top 5. If the Bulls pull off another upset, they’ll really be turning heads.
They’re already up to 18th in the rankings. Not bad for a program that’s been overlooked for years.
Illinois Fighting Illini Dominance
Illinois is rolling. They crushed Western Illinois 52-3, then took down Duke 45-19.
Quarterback Luke Altmeyer has been sharp, tossing three touchdowns against Duke and looking confident out there.
Favorable Schedule for Illinois
The Illini have a pretty friendly schedule ahead. Only Indiana and Ohio State are ranked among their remaining opponents.
If they keep this up, Illinois could be in the mix late in the season.
Baylor’s Dramatic Win Over SMU
Baylor and SMU put on a show. Baylor squeaked out a 48-45 overtime win, with quarterback Sawyer Robertson leading a wild comeback.
He threw two touchdowns in the last six minutes to force OT. That’s now 14 straight wins for Baylor over SMU.
SMU’s Playoff Hopes Dented
SMU’s playoff dreams took a hit here. They’ve still got Clemson and Miami coming up, so it’s not getting any easier.
Still, SMU’s a tough out and could cause problems for bigger names down the stretch.
Oklahoma Sooners’ Victory Over Michigan
The weekend’s biggest matchup went Oklahoma’s way. They beat Michigan 24-13.
Michigan’s rookie quarterback Bryce Underwood struggled on the road. The Sooners made enough plays to control things, even with a few mistakes.
Significance of the Win
Michigan’s in a rebuilding year, but beating a Top 25 team always matters. Maybe this win gives Oklahoma a little momentum for the tough road ahead.
Mississippi State’s Comeback Against Arizona State
Mississippi State pulled off a wild comeback to beat Arizona State 24-20. They were down 17-0 early in the second quarter, but didn’t quit.
That’s a big turnaround for a team that went 2-10 last year. Sometimes, football just doesn’t care about last season.
Bright Future for Mississippi State
Mississippi State lines up games against Alcorn State and Northern Illinois. Honestly, there’s a real shot they start the season 4-0.
Sure, a bowl game still feels like a long shot. But the Bulldogs have at least given their fans a reason to hope—maybe even to dream a little.
The first weeks of the college football season? Already packed with drama and surprises. Teams are fighting it out every weekend, and honestly, who knows what’s next?
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